Restoration Ministries offers hope, healing and wholistic growth in Jesus Christ. Caring for individuals, families, churches and organizations, we provide space to know and experience Christ's Holy Presence. We facilitate freedom, healing and wholeness and provide paths for spiritual growth and deeper communion with God by offering:

•Spiritual direction and soul care ministries
•Healing prayer sessions
•Resources for support and recovery at personal and/or family points of fracture
•Scripture and spirituality groups
•Retreats and retreat space where souls can find rest and renewal
•Collaborative ministries with the Church, local and at-large

JUNE 2010

    When I was a college student and wanting to do some serious study, as opposed to going to the small college library which was a great social hangout, I would head to the University of Minnesota’s Wilson Library where I was an unknown and the space was quiet. On one particular evening I was in the Shakespeare shelves (I was an English Literature and Education major trying to track down some piece of research, I’m sure.). I recall standing in the aisle between the stacks of books, a book in hand, intent as I scanned the pages. Oddly, my focus was interrupted by a beckoning kind of noise, “psst.” And then again, “psst.” Finally, I looked up and around, and saw a fellow on the opposite side of the stack in the next aisle, pushing a note through the books to me. Hmmm.
    I remember taking the note, opening it and seeing the words, “Look to your right.” As I turned my head to look down the long, narrow aisle of books, I saw a tall, large (really large in my memory) scraggly-bearded man standing, staring intently and menacingly at me. I was so startled and frightened that I rushed away, quickly moving back to the study desk where my belongings and friend were. My heart still beats a bit faster as I think about it. It was a frightening experience for me.
    At the time I recall trying to make sense of what had happened. I didn’t report it; didn’t tell anyone about it except my friend, and came to the conclusion that someone must have been conducting a sociology experiment to find out people’s responses to a startling and menacing experience. Weird!
    Last week I was, once again, seeking quiet study and prayer time and so took a few days away. It was so great to have time to rest, pray, journal, read and do some writing. Interestingly, the above memory came back to me in a time of prayer. I became aware of this as an unhealed and unprocessed memory which was presently causing me to freeze up and put up a wall, instead of responding in the way that I would like to respond. I believe that God brought this memory to my mind for it to be brought into the light, to have it lose its power over me. I would not on my own have thought about this incident – it hasn’t been in my conscious thought for years. But God knew it was there and getting in my way. And that story is a part of my story.
    Spiritual direction, and the hospitality it offers, provides a space for one to share one’s life story with another, to invite God’s presence and wisdom, to discern God’s guidance and ways. Spiritual practices, such as journaling, solitude, prayer, being in Scripture, among others, all provide context for our spiritual and emotional growth. All of life, however, is formative for our growth and healing, even our memories.
    Check out our website at www.restorationmn.org for further information on spiritual direction and formational opportunities.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:

The Twelve Steps: A Spiritual Journey
Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30 PM
June 15-August 3

As Christians we believe that God reveals much of his plan for each of us in the Holy Scriptures. Both mature Christians and those who are just being awakened to a personal relationship with God can find tremendous value in the Twelve Steps. By regularly applying them to the events of one’s life, the steps become a means for enriching one’s relationship with God. The steps are especially powerful when used together with the regular Christian practices of prayer, meditation and bible study.

The Twelve Steps—A Spiritual Journey contains scriptural passages that illustrate the harmony between the practice of Christianity and the working of the Twelve Steps. The use of Scripture provides an understanding of the Twelve Steps within a biblical context. The steps are a profoundly powerful process for allowing God to heal damaged emotions.

LOCATION: Restoration Ministries Ministry Center
REGISTER: To register online click here.
COST: Please purchase a copy of The Twelve Steps-A Spiritual Journey prior to the first session.  There is no additional cost for this class. Contributions will be accepted.

11th Step Retreat on Saturday, July 10, 2010

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Good results from prayer are beyond question. “They are matters of knowledge and experience. All those who have persisted have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond their usual capability. And they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances.” From: Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Whether in a 12-Step Recovery program or not, please join with us for a day together to grow more deeply in relationship with God through prayer and meditation.

The 11th Step retreat will be facilitated by Sherry Gaugler. Sherry offers spiritual direction, spiritual retreats and workshops that help participants grow in their recovery into wholeness, freedom and becoming more deeply anchored in their lives and relationships. She is on the staff at The Retreat in Wayzata (www.theretreat.org).

LOCATION: Restoration Ministries Office Center,  952.241.4150
COST: $35.00 (includes lunch)
TIME: 8:30-3:30 pm
REGISTER: To register online, click here.
(Registration payment may be made online at www.restorationmn.org)

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION MINISTRY AVAILABLE
Restoration Ministries has a number of trained spiritual directors available to provide spiritual companionship in one-to-one sessions.The intention is to provide space and time to listen, notice and be attentive to God's invitations in one's life and journey, to foster a deeper relationship with God, and to cultivate noticing, discerning and responding to God's Holy Spirit. 

Call to schedule an appointment at: 952.241.4150

Join with us and others for evenings of LISTENING PRAYER. Framed in simple worship, Scripture and prayerful sharing, this space is provided for attentiveness to listening to God and others. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7-9 pm. There is no registration nor cost. Anyone is welcome to come and experience this quiet, worshipful listening space.

Location: Restoration Ministry Center, 7975 Stone Creek Drive, #130, Chanhassen, MN  952.241.4150  

Blessings,

Pastor Jean Leih

For your information and interest:
Dr. Glenn Myers on Christian spirituality:
http://www.deepwellswithglennmyers.blogspot.com/
Pastor Jean Leih on integrating faith and life:
http://integratingfaithandlife.blogspot.com/

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